Get started or improve your skills on the trails, hills, crags or mountains

Summer Camps For Young People (12-17)

On our summer camps for young outdoor enthusiasts (aged 12-17) our courses focus on providing maximum enjoyment whilst learning and developing your outdoor skills. To make sure you get the most from your course, alongside a week of all-day skills development, we also run a series of informal evening activity sessions. With the entire site dedicated to young people, you'll learn new skills, see new places and make lots of new friends.

Take your first steps or develop your outdoor skills on the lakes, rivers or sea

Summer Camps For Young People (12-17)

On our summer camps for young outdoor enthusiasts (aged 12-17) our courses focus on providing maximum enjoyment whilst learning and developing your outdoor skills. To make sure you get the most from your course, alongside a week of all-day skills development, we also run a series of informal evening activity sessions. With the entire site dedicated to young people, you'll learn new skills, see new places and make lots of new friends.

Free Kayak, Sea Kayak Or Canoe Hire On All Our Paddling Courses

When you come on a canoeing or kayaking course or holiday with us, you can borrow a kayak, canoe, paddle, helmet, spraydeck and any other kit you need free of charge. What's more, you can try out loads of boats to find out what suits you best. We have a huge range of the latest kayaks, sea kayaks and canoes in our fleet and you are welcome to try any of them. Find out more about our kayak and canoe fleet here.

Fast Track Instructor Scheme

Every year we are host to a team of committed individuals who have set their hearts on becoming outdoor instructors. Our Fast Track Insturctor trainees spend four months here at The National Mountain Centre learning from experts in every field, leaving us with a new career and a new direction.Think you'd like to join the Fast Track Scheme? Find out more here.

Courses Families & Children

Self Catering Accommodation

Our self catering accommodation units make a great destination for a family holiday in the mountains. Moelwyn Cottage sleeps 16 and Bryn Engan Cottage sleeps up to 20 people in a warm, clean, comfortable bunkhouse style arrangement. If you'd rather be a little more upmarket Bryn Engan Farmhouse has 12 single, en-suite rooms and every home comfort you could wish for. You can add on activities and catered meals as you desire. Find out more here.

Breaks and Activities for Groups

Superior School Experiences

If you want the very best residential activity experience for your school, there's no better choice than the National Mountain Sports Centre. Enjoy the highest standard of instruction, equipment, food and accommodation. Let us work out a program that's ideal for your school.Find out more here.

Christmas Parties

If your idea of a perfect Christmas party is great food, a stunning location and incredible views, then Plas y Brenin is the place for you. Find out more here.

Accommodation For Groups

Our self catering accommodation units make a highly affordable destination for your group adventures. Moelwyn Cottage sleeps 16 and Bryn Engan Cottage sleeps up to 20 people in a warm, clean, comfortable bunkhouse style arrangement. If you'd rather move upmarket, Bryn Engan Farmhouse has 12 single, en-suite rooms and every home comfort you could wish for. You can add on meals, activities, and conference facilities as you desire. Find out more here.

Advanced White Water Kayak Leader Assessment

Course Overview

* This course was formerly known as 'BCU 5 Star Award Assessment - White Water Kayak'

Experience Required

Kayak Leader Training with the last 3 years and relevant advanced safety and rescue training

Scheduled Dates

Detailed Course Notes

You should be 18 years old to attend this course.

Is it for me?

Do you paddle a kayak regularly on grade 3-4 white-water? Have you got the skills and experience to lead fellow paddlers in this setting? Have you done this in a number of different locations? Have you got a record of this in a logbook? Are you happy that you can perform all that is ask for within the 5* syllabus? Have you completed all the necessary training requirements? And do you have all the necessary prerequisites set out in the syllabus? Finally are you looking to gain a certificate to endorse your performance at this level?

Prerequisites

You need to be an experienced paddler with 5 star skills. Please bring proof of 5 star white water leader training, advanced white water and safety (both completed in the last 3 years) or proof of BCU approved APL, a current LR form and your logbook to be signed.

What we cover

During the two day we will cover as many aspects of the 5* Syllabus as time and conditions allow. This will be done on moving water up to grade 3 with sections of grade 4. You will be assessed leading a group of fellow paddlers of about 4* standard. For a definitive list of all that you may be asked to do please go to the link below to both the 5* syllabus and assessor notes.

What's Included In The Price?

Whether you choose to stay with us or you have alternative accommodation nearby, the following items are included in the total cost.

Free tea, coffee or selected hot drinks for the duration of your visit

Afternoon tea & homemade cakes

Instruction/coaching

Secure boat storage (if you choose to bring your own boat)

Free (low-speed) wifi access in the bar & dining room

In course transport

Railway station pick up & drop off (please call to arrange)

Parking with CCTV surveillance

Free use of climbing wall, gym, MTB skills course & rolling pool

If you choose to stay with us, these items are also included in the total cost:

Accommodation the night before your course

Accommodation during your course

Breakfast & evening meal

Bar Lunch/packed lunch

Accommodation For This Course

Plas y Brenin Main House

Your course is based at Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Sports Centre in Capel Curig, North Wales, LL24 0ET.

If you are staying with us,

If you have chosen to add accommodation onto this course or holiday it is usually in the main house in a comfy en-suite room (normally shared with another guest). Each room has tea and coffee making facilities and all bed linen and towels are provided.

This includes accommodation the night before your first day. Your room will be available from 6pm. On your last day you will need to vacate your room by 10am. It is sometimes possible to arrange to stay an extra night please phone 01690 720214 for availability and cost.

Secure storage facilities, showers and toilets are available for you to use on your departure day once you have checked out of your room should you need them, please ask at reception.

Also included, if you chosen to add accommodation, are all your meals - breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes and a three course evening meal. Please bear in mind an evening meal is not provided on the night before your course or on the last day of your course but our bar will be serving meals from 7.00pm until 8.45pm.

If you are are not staying with us but coming in each day,

If you choose to come in daily for your course or holiday you will need to arrive ready for a 9am welcome talk on the first day. For the rest of your course or holiday you will need to be here for 9.15am. We return from a full day of activity, usually in time for tea and cakes at 5pm (included).

There are more activities from 5.30 - 6.30 on some days of your course or holiday, please check on the first day.

For most of our awards and qualification courses there will be further evening sessions on some days which you need to attend, please check on the first day.

What Equipment Do You Need To Bring?

Please bring your own paddling kit appropriate for paddling and leading a group of 4 paddlers and as the syllabus requires. At this level it is expected that candidates supply their own boat the appropriateness of which will form part of the assessment process. For those who may have problems transporting a boat to the assessment it may be possible to use one of our fleet but this needs to be discussed and agreed in advance. If this applies to you please contact the centre for more details.

You will also need:

Lunch bag/box

Drinks bottle

Cheque book for any BCU fees due

BCU logbook/paperwork

Not found what you were looking for?

You can hire one of our coaches instructors or guides from only £250 per day. They'll tailor the day to suit your aims and aspirations perfectly.
You can enjoy one to one coaching for that cost or if you get together as a group, depending on the activity, you can split that cost between up to 6 of you. If you are a group we can run any of our courses on a date that suits you and your friends. Or you could just write your own agenda for a week or weekend and we'll price it up for you - with or without accommodation. What's more, just like out normal course fees, our private instructor hire charge covers all your equipment too.
Click on the link below to fill in a request form and one of our coaches will call you back (or e-mail if you'd prefer) to discuss things in detail with you.